Orthodontist for a Nine Year-Old?

I’m not opposed to our four kids getting braces. They’ll all probably have to end up getting braces at some point, and I can deal with that when the time is right. So, imagine my surprise when our dentist told us to take our oldest son to an orthodontist… now. He is only nine!

I’ve never heard of a nine year-old going to the orthodontist. Believe it or not, Christian has some friends from his class that already have braces. Eight and nine year olds. Whatever happened to getting braces in junior high or high school? Do kids in the second and third grades have to get them all over again when they’re older, when they don’t have…oh, I don’t know… baby teeth?!

We absolutely adore our family dentist, and only because we trust him wholeheartedly did I go ahead and make the appointment.

When we arrived at the orthodontist’s office, Christian was immediately taken back for x-rays and pictures. About a half an hour later, I was called back to discuss the results. Christian sat in the dental chair, while I went into the doctor’s private office, the three younger ones trailing behind me. (That’s always fun!)

The orthodontist explained that he wouldn’t recommend putting braces on at this point, but he did want Christian to get a retainer for his top teeth, to work on his overbite. That seemed pretty reasonable to me. The orthodontist was very likable, and he treated Christian really well. Overall, I was actually feeling good about the situation; that is, until he left and his assistant stepped in. She calmly explained how – from start to finish – the retainer and check ups would run around $1,300. Ugh. A hundred years ago when I had braces, I think the entire process from eighth grade through my senior year of high school was around $2,000… total!

I don’t want to sound old, but wow! Like I said before, I’ve never heard of a nine year-old going to the orthodontist. Oh well, one down, three to go…

Were you asked to take your young child to the orthodontist? Too soon or a good head start?

Bea lives in North Carolina with her husband Adam and children Christian (8), Ethan (7), Preston (4) and Lauren Elizabeth (3). Read more amazing stories by Bea at Peanut Butter Hair.